Yes, the ‘worthiest’ of all talent shows The Voice returned this weekend with its fun mix of spinning chairs, boxing rings and stealing unwanted contestants.

It’s the talent show where the judges do a joint song rather than the contestants and the new season kicked off with the two new ‘coaches’ – Boy George and Paloma Faith – being introduced by incumbents Will.i.am and Ricky Wilson to sing a four-way mash up of Whole Lotta Love and Sex Machine.

George said he was so nervous he was going ‘to turn for everyone’ and also declared himself ‘queen of England’. An excited Paloma was happy to talk over everyone else but seemed to be enjoying herself.

Last year’s winning coach Ricky seemed a little on the back foot throughout the show and quieter than the other three – admitting that it was hard ‘when there were so many strong voices in the room’. Ooooh tension?

But the main business of the night was the first auditions – the eclectic mix of singing contestants and the ‘blind’ coaches who would be seduced enough to turn for them and pitch hard…

Beth Morris (Picture: BBC)

The first act to take to the stage was leopard-skin fan Beth Morris with her take on the classic Nutbush City Limits which had the two new coaches pressing their buttons almost straight away (bit of early excitement maybe?) but they were soon followed by Will and Ricky who all seemed impressed with the 25 year old’s snarling and Tina Turner moves! Paloma called her ‘fierce on every level’ and said that she was into ‘women for women’ and it worked because the new female judge scored her first act.

Obviously pleased with her first addition to Team Paloma she decided to sit tight and not turn for fishmonger Tom Rickells, but the boys were all thrilled with his emotional Love Me Like You Do. Will promised him a ‘fun time’ and called the 22 year old ‘fresh and dope’ and the young singer was happy to sign up to Team Will.

Tom Rickels (Picture: BBC)

Brooklynne Richards sang Cry To Me for a delighted Boy George who said he loved ‘the whole 60s thing’ and Ricky who thought she’d ‘be there right at the end’. It looked like the girl from Birmingham would go for Team George because he’d make her ‘so famous drag queens would impersonate her’ which Will agreed was the ‘knockout pitch’ but surprisingly she went for Ricky. George laughed that he didn’t think Brooklynne knew who he was.

Would-be country singer Keri-Ellah didn’t pick up a place singing Before He Cheats. Neither did Dubliner John Bonham who rocked out singing heavy metal Can I Play With Madness (and was alikened to Jack Black by Paloma!)

Reverend John (Picture: Getty)

A singing vicar next as Rev. John Barron sang This Is The Moment which had the coaches holding hands and swaying but it wasn’t the right moment for the 49 year old as he went home without a button push. Will said it meant they were all in ‘spiritual trouble’ for not turning.

Dwaine Hayden had a bit more luck singing Don’t Know Why which had Paloma and George fighting it out over his soulful tone. But with Paloma successful once again leaving George as still the only coach without an act.

Baby faced Ryan Willingham surprised everyone singing a powerful version of Stars but sadly left without a place – despite the audience loving it. A confused Will thought the 23 year old sounded like a 70 year old but looked 16. Paloma told him to never stop singing because he would do well in musical theatre.

Lyrikal (Picture: BBC)

Futuristic beat boxer Lyrickal (also known as Brian Bennett which seemed to cause a lot of hilarity in the studio) nearly also left the competition after doing some vocal tricks over Virtual Insanity, but a last second turn around by Will saved the Londoner. His new coach said that he had ‘raised the bar’ and the 46 year old was happy to join Team Will.

16 year old Aine Carroll turned things slightly more traditional by singing Brokenhearted which had all the judges but Will spinning their chairs. George said she had a ‘beautiful tone’ that he could hear through her nerves and Ricky said he was ‘amazed’ by the performance and working with her would give him his ‘competitive edge’ and the girl from Cork joined Team Ricky.

Àine Carroll (Picture: BBC)

Which meant that Boy George was STILL without his first act.

And it wasn’t going to be Bernie Clifton – yes you read that right – the 79 year old ventriloquist act known for dancing about on an ostrich puppet arrived on stage. He sang The Impossible Dream very well but it wasn’t what the coaches were after even though it had Ricky wiping away a tear and the audience on their feet! Bernie admitted there wasn’t a lot of work about for ‘elderly ostrich jockeys’ and had wanted to revisit his singing but he had to leave the competition this time. But Ricky was more than happy to see the famous ostrich who made an appearance at the end of the show.

Finishing up the show was the fantastic Cody Frost – who called herself ‘a failed punk’ – from Burnley with a unique take on Abba’s Lay All Your Love On Me. And again all but Will turned for the 17 year old’s emotional performance. Paloma said she loved ‘misfits’ and her voice was ‘beautiful’. George picked up on her emo 80s look and told her there was only ‘one place to go honey-child’ and that she should take a chance on her coach and after some fighting between the seats Cody was the first member of Team George. A thrilled George said he ‘needed a lie down’ afterwards.

Cody Frost (Picture: BBC)

And that was the end of show one – it looks like the four new coaches might take a bit of time to find their dynamic without the calming influence of Tom Jones as all four are quite strong personalities but it’s early days…